Jayjay POV
Emma's restaurant was still buzzing, like everyone had bottled up the whole day and finally let it spill out at once. Cutlery clinked, chairs scraped, laughter rose and fell in waves. Hex sat across from me, chewing slower now, like he was finally calm enough to actually taste his food.
He looked up suddenly.
"Hey," he said. "You never told me something."
I groaned. "If this is about today, I'm pretending it didn't happen."
"No," he said, shaking his head. "Your exam result."
Oh.
That.
I paused.
Just for a second.
That was enough.
Hex's eyes narrowed. "Oh no. You hesitated."
I rolled my eyes. "I didn't hesitate."
"You breathed before answering," he said. "That's hesitation."
I sighed. "Ninety-five."
Hex froze.
Like—completely froze.
His mouth opened. " How's that possible you—"
I leaned forward instantly and covered his mouth with my hand.
"Don't," I warned in a whisper.
His eyes widened. I felt his breath against my palm.
I slowly moved my hand away.
He leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"But… you passed universities entrance exams easily ."
I whispered back, teeth clenched. "Yes."
"And you couldn't pass this?"
I leaned in even closer. "I passed. I just didn't get full marks."
"That's the same thing to you," he whispered.
"It is not," I snapped quietly.
He shook his head in disbelief. "This doesn't make sense."
I poked his chest. "I'm human."
"You're terrifying," he whispered.
"Say that louder and I'll show you terrifying."
He smirked. "So you're telling me the girl who tries universities exams like it was nothing—"
I clamped my hand over his mouth again.
"That part never leaves this table," I hissed.
He gently pulled my hand away. "You're hiding something."
"I'm hiding my life and your life expectancy," I said sweetly.
We were so focused on whisper-fighting that we didn't notice the others leaning in.
Then—
"Enough with the whispering," CI-N said loudly. "We also want to hear something."
I froze.
Hex straightened instantly.
"Oh!" he said casually, way too casually. "Right. Exams."
He turned to the rest of the table like nothing had happened.
"So," he said brightly, "what did you all get?"
Just like that—topic changed.
Everyone started talking at once.
"Eighty-nine."
"Ninety-two."
"Don't ask."
I leaned back in my chair, heart still racing.
That was close.
Way too close.
Hex glanced at me once, a small grin on his face.
I kicked him under the table.
He deserved it.